On the occasion of the „World Horticulture Exposition 2014” (WHE) in Qingdao, China, the Supply and Treatment Center (STC) Qingdao of the project SEMIZENTRAL, was opened April 27, 2014. It is the worldwide first reference plant following the semicentralized, integrated infrastructure approach. The center will serve approximately 12,000 people.

SEMIZENTRAL is an infrastructure approach for future cities. It is an alternative for extensive, centralized systems with long lead times and insufficient scalability. The innovative approach towards semicentralized supply and treatment systems has been developed to serve new-build residential areas in fast-growing metropolitan environments. Each urban district is provided with a flexible integrative infrastructure system for water, wastewater, and waste, adaptable to the respective need.

The SEMIZENTRAL approach combines the traditionally separated sectors of water, wastewater, waste, and energy. Before being treated in the supply and treatment center, wastewater streams (so-called grey water and black water) are collected separately. Sewage sludge is co-treated with organic waste to produce biogas which in turn is used for energy generation.

During the approximately three years of planning and operational attendance of the semicentralized STC Qingdao, 14 partners from Germany, the Tongji University Shanghai and the Qingdao Technological University worked together in a cooperative consortium. The TU Darmstadt maintains a partnership of more than 30 years with its Chinese partners.

The following supporters and sponsors have made important material contributions towards the realization of the SEMIZENTRAL approach. Our sincere thanks go to:

The total organic carbon (TOC) is one of the most important sum parameters in the assessment of the organic pollution of water. Since it includes all carbon compounds as one mass, it is exactly defined and an absolute quantity. Therefore, it may be determined directly.

The chemical oxygen demand (COD) indicates the amount of oxygen which is needed for the oxidation of all organic substances in water and is thus an important indicator for water analysis. It is considered in the planning and controlling of treatment, as well as assessing its efficiency, thus forming the basis for the calculation of waste water charges.

The COD can be determined in laboratory or online, whereby these methods significantly differ in duration and consumables used.

The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) indicates the amount of oxygen which is needed for the biological degradation of organic substances in water.

Since the generally used BOD5 excludes the nitrification part of the process, this parameter is poorly suited for the control of waste water treatment plants. Alternatively, the total BOD is well-suited, due to the determination of the nitrogen as well as the carbonaceous part of biological degradation.

Toxicity is described as the direct harmful effect of a substance on organisms. These effects can already occur at low concentraions of toxic substances and are dependent on the incubation period and the dosage.

Some test methods that are available on the market can detect toxicity by using fish, daphnia, molluscs, algae or luminous bacteria and testing whether a water sample has a toxic effect on the organisms. They do not, however, identify exactly which toxins are present.

The total phosphorus (TP) is a sum parameter that shows the organic and inorganic phosphorus compounds in water. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for humans as well as flora and fauna. However, the substance – depending on its concentration– may cause serious damage.

COD Analyzer QuickCODlab

The QuickCODlab laboratory analyzer is the master plan for fast and clean COD measurements. Unlike traditional COD analysis methods, the QuickCODlab oxidizes the water sample without the need of any hazardous chemicals. Due to the patented high-temperature combustion method, the measurement results are free of chloride inteferences.

TOC Analyzer QuickTOCairport

Surface water and de-icing waste water should be continously monitored - from an ecological as well as economic point of view. By using reliable online measurement systems high waste water charges can be avoided.

LAR's QuickTOCairport is the ultimate online TOC analyzer for the determination of total organic carbon (TOC) for water at airports.

BOD Analyzer BioMonitor

LAR's BioMonitor is an online BOD analyzer for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), respiration and toxicity in waste water. Using BioMonitor, operators can control their waste water treatment plant in an optimal way.

TOC Analyzer QuickTOCeffluent

Toximeter NitriTox

LAR's toxicity analyzer NitriTox continually monitors water for toxic pollutants. Potential toxins in water are determined through the reaction of highly sensitive bacteria. The measurements follow at intervals of less than 5 minutes. Thus, operators can easily introduce countermeasures to protect their treatment plant and processes.

COD Analyzer Elox100

TOC Analyzer QuickTOCpurity

LAR's TOC analyzer QuickTOCpurity is the most reliable measurement system for pure and ultra pure water applications. Due to a special injection loop, the sample is fully protected against contaminations from ambient air. Hence, the QuickTOCpurity reliably detects the TOC level of pure water.

The combustion leader in TOC analysis provides maximum reliability and availability, hence also profitability for its operators.

COD Analyzer QuickCODultra

LAR's COD analyzer QuickCODultra is the most reliable measurement system for the roughest waste water applications. Due to an unrivaled injection and oxidation technique, the QuickCODultra easily handles sticky, fatty, salty, and high-particle samples unlike other COD analyzers without the need of any hazardous chemicals.

Toximeter ToxAlarm

LAR's toxicity analyzer ToxAlarm continually monitors drinking and surface water for pollutants. Potential toxins in water are determined through the reaction of highly sensitive bacteria. The measurements follow at intervals of less than 5 minutes even after events of toxicity.

TOC Analyzer QuickTOCpharma

TOC Analyzer QuickTOCultra

LAR's TOC analyzer QuickTOCultra is the most reliable measurement system for the roughest waste water applications. Due to an unrivaled injection and oxidation technique, the QuickTOCultra easily handles sticky, fatty, salty, and high-particle samples unlike other TOC analyzers.

The combustion leader in TOC analysis provides maximum reliability and availability, hence also profitability for its operators.